Signalling device and measurement of pull on a fishing line

Abstract

An attachment incorporated on or in a fishing reel to signal a fish pulling on the line with an indication of the amount of pull by different colored lights and a scale indication. The fishing line passing through the device passes over a spring biased rod which operates separate contacts as it moves against the spring force, operating different colored lights, one at a time, and moving a scale attached to the rod downward past an indicating window to numerically indicate amount of pull on the line.

We claim: 
     
       1. A signalling device for use with a fishing rod and activated by a fishing line comprising a compartment for the signalling device,   entering and exit passages to said compartment allowing a fishing line to pass through said passages and said compartment,   a switching means in said compartment to signal the amount of pull on the fishing line including movable means moved by the fishing line a distance determined by the intensity of the force of the pull on the fishing line,   opposing means to exert a force to oppose the force of the fishing line on said movable means,   a plurality of contact means extending in the path of said movable means to close an electrical circuit when establishing contact with said movable means,   a plurality of lamps, each of said lamps in a circuit with one of said contact means,   a source of power for said lamps,   and means to extinguish one of said lamps when another of said lamps is lit.     
     
     
       2. The signalling device of claim 1, further characterized by said movable means being a rod movably mounted on a pair of uprights for movement in a plane perpendicular to the direction of extension of the fishing line.   
     
     
       3. The signalling device of claim 2, further characterized by said opposing means being a coiled spring at each of said uprights supporting said rod against the force exerted by the fishing line.   
     
     
       4. The signalling device of claim 2, further characterized by said contact means spaced to contact said rod each at different positions along its path of travel.   
     
     
       5. The signalling device of claim 4, further characterized by said means to extinguish lamps including auxiliary contacts in a normally closed circuit with said contact means which are opened upon further movement of said rod due to additional pull on the fishing line,     one of each of said lamps electrically connected without interruption to each of said auxiliary contacts.   
     
     
       6. The signalling device of claim 5, further characterized by one of said lamps connected without interruption to said contact means spaced to contact said rod at the furtherest position along its path of travel.   
     
     
       7. The signalling device of claim 6, further characterized by said rod being an electrical contact to close the circuit when contacting said contact means.   
     
     
       8. The signalling device of claim 1, further characterized by a scale mounted for movement with said movable means,   indexing means cooperating with said scale to designate the amount of pull on the fishing line.   
     
     
       9. The signalling device of claim 8, further characterized by said scale being a substantially U-shaped member with the legend on the leg of the U other than a leg attached to said movable means,   and said indexing means being an opening in said compartment to reveal a portion of said legend.   
     
     
       10. The signalling device of claim 1, further characterized by each of said lamps being identifiable by different color.   
     
     
       11. The signalling device of claim 8, further characterized by an additional lamp connected between said power source and a contact means of said plurality of contact means which is first to be contacted by said movable means whereby said additional lamp lights said scale when pull is exerted on the fishing line.   
     
     
       12. The signalling device of claim 1, further characterized by a casing containing a fishing reel,   said switching means positioned within said casing,   and mounting means to mount said switching means within said casing.   
     
     
       13. The signalling device of claim 12, further characterized by said mounting means including a base for said switching means,   and an arc-shaped element connected to said base at the ends of the arc and of a size to fit tightly within said casing.     
     
     
       14. The signalling device of claim 13, further characterized by said casing having a substantially cylindrical shape,   a scale having a substantially U shape with one leg of the U having a curved surface to conform to the shape of said casing,   said scale mounted for movement with said movable means,   and indexing means cooperating with said scale to designate the amount of pull on the fishing line.